Baggage-check.



No. 797,973. PATENTBD AUG. 22, 1905. W. F. MOPHAIL.

BAGGAGB CHECK.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 1. 1904.

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I, ,UNITED. STATES PATENT FFICE.

BAGGAGE-CHECK.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed June 1, 1904. erial No. 210,656.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. MoPHAIL, of Ardmore, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Baggage-Checks, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to baggage-checks particularly designed for use in connection with the temporary storage of passengers baggage at railroad-stations.

Ordinarily the accuracy of the accounts relating to the amounts received by baggage agents as compensation for the storage of baggage is dependent upon the honesty of the agents.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide means to enable the railroad auditing department to determine whether the agents accounts are correct or not, and thus avoid any deficiency therein.

As hereinafter described, my invention comprises a baggage-check having a number by which it may be individually identified and comprising blanks forentries as to the time when the baggage was received and delivered, the number of its pieces, and the numbers of any ordinary transfer-checks by which the baggage is identified, combined with a voucher for the amount paid by the passenger to the baggage agent. As hereinafter described, the voucher contemplated preferably consists of adhesive stamps which are canceled by the baggage agent and attached to the check under the supervision of the passenger.

My invention comprehends the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

Figure I is a face view of a check conveniently embodying my invention. Fig. II is a back view of said check. Fig. III is a view of one of the adhesive stamps.

In said drawings, 1 is the check, which is conveniently formed of a sheet of cardboard or heavy paper having an aperture 2, reinforced by pads 3, to receive an attaching cord or wire 4. As shown in Fig. I, the face of said check is provided with an imprint 6 indicating the name of the railroad and the nature and use of the check, an imprint 7 indicating the particular station from which the check is issued, a blank 8 for the entry of the date when the baggage is received, a blank 9 for the entry of the'date when the baggage is delivered, a blank 10 for the entry of the number of pieces of baggage, a blank 11 for the entry of the numbers of any ordinary transfer-checks by Which the baggage is identified, an imprint 14 comprising instructions to the passenger as to the stamp-voucher, and a number or other mark 15 by which the check may be individually identified. As shown in Fig. II, the back of said check 1 is conveniently provided with blanks 15 to receive adhesive stamps 16, one of which is shown detached in Fig. III. As shown in Fig. II, the fact that said stamps are canceled may be indicated by the mark 18, or other canceling means may be employed. For instance, the stamps may be punched, as indicated by the aperture 19.

Said checks may be used as follows: Each agent is provided and charged with a quan tity of both the checks and voucher-stamps. Each passenger sees that stamps 16 to the equivalent of the amount paid for each storage charge are canceled and attached to the check, upon which the proper entries are made by the agent, and the passenger then retains the stamped'check as areceipt for the amount paid. The agent being required to render periodically an account setting forth the number of checks and stamps in his possession and to return the cash equivalent for the missing stamps, any errors in such accounts may be readily detected by the auditing department without reference or regard to said stamped checks, which, as aforesaid, are retained by the depositors of the baggage.

The invention aforesaid is advantageous to the passenger in that it provides a receipt for the amount paid and a memorandum of the place and date of payment and obviates the application of disfiguring adhesive labels to the baggage.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein described, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention as set forth in the appende claims.

I claim 1. A baggage-storage check, having thereon an adhesive stamp of monetary value equal to the amount paid to the baggage agent and provided with means indicating cancellation of said stamp, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A baggage-storage check, having thereon an adhesive stamp of monetary value equal to the amount paid to the baggage agent and provided with means indicating cancellation of said stamp, and flexible connecting means to detachably connect said check to the baggage, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 3. A baggage-storage check, having thereon means arranged to inform the passenger of the identity of the party issuing said check, the location of the station from Which the check is issued, the number of the check, and the manner in which the check is to be employed, said check having thereon an adhesive stamp of monetary value equal to the amount paid to the baggage agent and provided with means indicating the cancellation of said stamp, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7 4. Abaggage-storagecheck,havingthereon means arranged to inform the passenger of the identity of the party issuing said check,

the location of the station from which the check is issued, the number of the check, and the manner in which the check is to be employed, said check having thereon an adhesive stamp of monetary value equal to the amount paid to the baggage agent and provided with means indicating cancellation of said stamp, and flexible connecting means to detachably connect said check to the baggage, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereofl have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, this 31st day of May, 1904.

WILLIAM F. MOPHAIL.

Witnesses:

, JAMES H. BELL,

ARTHUR E. PAIGE. 

